All changes may not be negative. It is possible that job changes or promotions could mean an unanticipated increase in salary. This would have a huge and positive impact on your retirement plan. But a worksheet cannot predict such a change.

Microsoft Excel is the commonly used software for creating a table of data and creating formulas and functions to work on the data. They are also used extensively for creating graphs and charts out of the underlying stored data. The latest version of the Excel that is available as part of the office package is the Excel 2010 version.

Next, you need to have a set of goals to work towards. There is no point is starting a budget worksheet unless you have a goal that you are striving to achieve. Without a goal sheet, any extra money you do save from your budget worksheet will have no real purpose and will be far easier to spend. Having a written set of goals helps to keep you on track.